The document discusses the characteristics of psychological thriller novels, emphasizing the focus on characters' psychological states over plot-driven narratives. It references the title 'Sense of an Ending' and incorporates philosophical concepts from figures like Sartre and Freud, particularly concerning life, death, and existential dilemmas. The narrative unfolds through layers of revelation, ultimately leading to introspective realizations about purpose and loss in life.

1. Psycho Thriller Novel
Smt. S B Gardi
Department of English
Maharaja
Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University

2. Prepared by- Urvi Dave
Course- MA- II
Semester- 4
Course No.- 13
Paper Name- New Literatures
Batch Year- 2014-16
Enrolment no.- 14101009
email id- dave.urvi71@gmail.com

3. • A Psychological thriller is a specific sub-gene of the popular thriller
theme. It focuses heavily on the main character’s psychological state
as well as incorporating elements from the mystery and drama genre.
• The character’s psychological state is the driving force of the plot
line, rather than the plot line driving the character’s psyche.
• Often there is a first person narrative allowing the viewer to better
understand the character’s psychological state of mind.
• The title Sense of an Ending is borrowed from a text by Frank
Kermode subtitled ‘Studies in the theory of fiction’ that aims at
“making sense of the ways we try to make sense of our lives.”

4. Frank Kermode quotes

5. • Sartre gives the philosophy of crisis but his own
world had no beginning or end.
• Novel centred on the characteristics of 21st century
writing.
• Sigmund Freud’s concept of Eros and Thanatos
• It is Eros that is powerful in us that we wish to
remain alive. If Thanatos is powerful in us, we will end
our lives.
• Story unfolds in three layers

6. • The writer beautifully controls the narrative
till the end.
• Tony’s revelation and realisation
• Idea of suicide was used by only intellectual
people like Robson and Adrian.
• Robson’s letter- “Sorry Mum.” he hanged
himself after getting a girl pregnant

7. “Life is a bestowed without anyone
asking for it; that the thinking
person has a philosophical duty to
examine both the nature of life and
the conditions it comes with; and
that if this person decides to
renounce the gift no one asks for
it, it is a moral and human duty to
act on the consequences of that
decision.”
Adrian’s Suicide Note-

8. • We are first led to believe that he is supremely rational, his
own answer to the philosophical problem which Camus said
was the only real one. He might have thought about his own
life and deeds.
• Tony tries to remember his schooldays, college days and his
breakup with Veronica as he himself chooses peaceful life.
• Tony tries to reveal why Sarah left documents and money for
him. He remembers how Adrian had asked his permission for
dating Veronica and how be replied to him to meet Veronica’s
mother.
•Things are revealed gradually and then we are confused and
can’t understand what is happening or what to do next.

9. • Barnes is brutally incisive on the diminishment of age as he says
“life wouldn’t turn out to be like literature.”
• Ignorance is bliss
• Sarah Ford’s Post Script
• Sense of an Ending- now that the sense of Tony is coming into
focus, he apprehends that “the purpose of life is to reconcile us to
its eventual loss” that has already experienced the first death: that
of the possibility of change.
• It is an ending that makes sense and what became of his
philosophical friend is that Tony tries to make the sense of and so
on..

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